As someone wrote the other day, it is Michael Landrum’s world and we are just lucky to eat in it. Not only does he own the area’s best steakhouse by far Ray’s the Steaks but he has just opened what is certain to be the area’s premiere destination for hamburgers (Sorry Spike), Ray’s Butcher Burgers (with the self proclaimed street name of Ray's Hell Burger). The burger shack located in the same strip mall as Ray’s the Steaks opened on Tuesday, and the Simplemonger and I went to check it out.
The following is Simplemonger's take: "Typically, I don't like when people give themselves nicknames. Nicknames have to be earned and bequeathed by a higher power (such as myself). So when Ray's new burger place claimed their street name is "Hell Burgers," I had to roll my eyes at the arrogance. All that being said, I've turned a corner. They've earned the arrogance. The new burger place is the King James of DC hamburgers."
I have to agree with him on the nickname thing. It is something that Spike from Top Chef would do, but in this case Michael Landrum has earned it. And on the subject of Spike, I read in a magazine interview that he said he was moving to DC so that he could be a big fish in a small pond. Who the hell does this guy think he is? He finished 5th on the Bravo game show and loves to cook frozen scallops. That does not make you a big fish in any pond.
Turning back to Hell-Burger. Walking in there is a distinct resemblance to its sister restaurant a few doors down. Walking up to the counter the first thing we noticed was Michael Landrum in the open kitchen butchering meat. They use the same dry-aged, prime beef from Ray’s the Steaks and ground it up in-house multiple times throughout the day.
The Simplemonger opted for a blackened burger with blue cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato. I decided to go with the Diablo with Gruyere, lettuce, tomato and bacon. I had it cooked to the recommended temperature so that it had a warm, red center. The burgers came out with buttery corn on the cob and a slice of watermelon.
As good as the food was, the best part of opening night was that everything was free. When they do start charging, the $7 burger is going to be a steal.
Ray’s Hell Burger
1713 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209
2 comments:
I went to Butcher Burgers last night. My burger was really good. On tatste alone, it was probably the best burger I have ever had. However, I do have a recommendation for Ray's: use Xanthan gum. My burger, along with my wife's, fell part while we were trying to eat it. This may have something to do with the doneness of the meat. We ordered ours at the recommended temperature, which is about medium rare. The more well-done burgers in our group held together much better. Nevertheless, if you are reccomending a certain temperature, you should ensure that the burger stays together. One is not meant to eat a burger with a knife an fork. Ray's needs to go molecular.
I agree with you about the burgers falling apart too easily. It is slightly annoying. It reminds me of the pizza at 2 Amy's, of which the toppings all fall off because of the ocean of olive oil on the pie. The difference is the taste. The burgers at Ray's are nothing less than excellent. The pizza at 2 Amy's: not so much.
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